Page 32 of The Devil's Reward
“I’m starting to worry you’re about to tell me they robbed a bank or something,” I joke, though I am starting to worry.
“I wish they had,” he mutters. “No, they are constantly getting themselves into trouble and dragging me into it,” he reluctantly explains.
“Is this why you said you have a bail fund?”
He smirks. “Trust me, the amount of money I have saved up for that occurrence is nothing to sneeze at. I’m waiting for the day they clean me out.”
“Wait, those two women have you setting up a bail fund? But it’s just two of them.”
He snorts. “Sorry, honey, but that is incredibly inaccurate. Though those two are the ring leaders, they have larger numbers. That’s why I’m telling you to run the other way before you get sucked in.”
I smirk. “Well, now you’ve just issued a challenge, sir. Don’t you know better than to do that with a woman?” I tease, feeling brave.
He eyes me warily. “If you say so, but I would think a smart woman like you would have the good sense to heed my warning.”
I shrug. “If you think so.”
His phone buzzes, and he grabs it from his pocket. “Sorry, but I have to run,” he sighs, looking down at me. “You good to get home?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “Ah, thank you again for helping me. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.” He pauses and then says, “You have my number, so if you have any problems, call.” I hesitate for a moment, but then nod.
When he starts to walk away, he suddenly stops, turns back towards me, and asks, “One more question.” He pauses, like he’s considering how to ask it, and I wait patiently. Finally, he asks, “Did you ever know a woman named Samantha Nolans?” His gaze is intense as he stares at me, and I get the feeling the question isn’t one he’s asked lightly.
I frown, trying to place that name. Finally, I shake my head. “Not personally. I’d have to check and see if I know her through the clinic. Why?”
“You remind me of her,” he says vaguely. “I’ll see you around, Quinn.” Then he turns and heads back the way we came.
I stare after him for a moment, trying to process what just happened. Something tells me that whoever Samantha Nolans is, she’s important to Shadow. My curiosity is piqued, but I push it away. I have ice cream calling my name, and an empty house to get home to.
I’m both sad and elated at the thought.
EIGHTEEN
SHADOW
Damn Viper’s nosy ass. I don’t need this right now.
I try not to think of the question I just asked. I don’t know how Quinn Holt, a woman I barely know, can have this much effect on me. When I asked that question, it felt as though in that moment, if I didn’t get the answer, I was going to combust. Like it was eternally important that I knew.
We keep running into each other, and I have to think there’s a reason for that. If it was always in a professional setting, I’d like to think I could brush it off. But lately, it’s always in public. The convenience store, the grocery store, and now on the street. It’s like she’s constantly being thrown in my path so I have no choice but to face her. And, face how I feel.
All my instincts flare up at once. I want her safe, protected, and looking at me with that smile that makes my insides warm. It’s a feeling I haven’t felt before. Not even with Sam.
Sure, when Sam and I were working together, or alone for any length of time, I felt a lustful heat. The kind that simmers slowly in the presence of someone you desire. This is different. This is a warmth that spreads in my chest and creeps its way through my entire body.
It makes no damn sense. I don’t know Quinn, and this is ridiculous. She’s a beautiful woman, nothing more. I’ve been alone for a long time, and having her constantly being thrown at me is some kind of fucked up cosmic joke. It’s messing with my head. I need to keep things professional and find a woman to help me take this edge off.
Simple as that.
I see Viper near the mouth of the alley where Frank had been, and I have to bite back a snarl at the thought of him trying to intimidate, or even attack Quinn. He’s lucky I didn’t kick his ass all the way to the ICU. He knows better, and we’ve told him before if we ever caught him doing that shit to anyone, we would make sure he regretted it. I have to assume Viper took care of that for me.
Viper falls into step beside me as we begin the long walk back to our bikes.
“I took care of him,” Viper says casually, glancing over at me. “He’s realized the error of his ways.” He smirks and flexes his knuckles.
“I hope you knocked a few teeth out and broke his fingers,” I say darkly.
